Use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe the watch regularly. For metal bracelets, gently clean with a damp cloth and mild soap, then dry thoroughly. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.

Only if your watch is water-resistant to the appropriate depth (check the specifications - we would recommend at least 50m of water resistance).

Avoid hot showers or saunas, as heat can damage seals and reduce water resistance.

Have the seals and gaskets checked regularly, especially after battery changes or servicing.

Avoid pressing buttons underwater unless your watch is specifically designed for it.

Dry it immediately with a soft cloth. If water has entered the case, depending on the value of the watch, it will likely be more cost-effective to replace it.

If the watch has sentimental value, contact a professional watchmaker to inspect and/or repair it.

If your watch is designed for sports or is shock-resistant, yes. Otherwise, it’s best to remove it to avoid damage.

For low-cost watches the cost of a service is almost certainly more than the cost of a replacement watch.

If the watch has sentimental value then a service every 5 years or so will be fine.

Avoid:

• Extreme temperatures
• Strong magnetic fields (large speakers)
• Harsh chemicals (perfumes, cleaning agents)
• Impacts or drops.

Be mindful when wearing your watch during activities that may cause abrasion.

Even something like wearing it while working at a desk can scratch your watch over time.

Store it separately from jewelry or hard objects.

Consider buying a watch made from stainless steel, rather than alloy.

A crystal made from sapphire offers a degree of scratch resistance.

Keep your watch in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Use a watch box or pouch to protect it from dust and scratches.

Some straps, like leather or fabric, can be adjusted easily.

For metal bracelets, most watchmakers and jewelers will adjust it for a few pounds.

If you'd like to adjust it yourself, we sell a little tool kit.

Most quartz watches use standard button-cell batteries lasting 1-3 years depending on usage and model.

Signs include the second hand skipping several seconds at a time or the watch stopping entirely.

We advise against it to avoid damaging the watch or compromising water resistance.

Visit a professional watch service center instead. The cost is usually only a few pounds.

Most watches are sensitive to magnets, which can affect accuracy.

Keep your watch away from strong magnetic sources like speakers or electronic devices.

Quartz watches

Check the battery first. If the battery is fine, contact a professional watchmaker for diagnosis.

Mechanical watches

If your watch has a manually wound movement then it will need wound every day or so. Make sure you don't over-wind it as this can be expensive to repair.

If your watch has an automatic movement it needs to be worn regularly to keep the spring inside wound.

If you haven't worn it for a few days it will stop - so give it a few winds to check.

Sometimes giving the watch a vigorous shake is enough to bring it back to life.

Consult any instructions that came with your watch before contacting a professional watchmaker for diagnosis.

It's often cheaper to replace a watch, even a mechanical one, rather than pay for a repair.